Please keep an eye out for any unusual activity, remember that if you spot anything suspicious the police can be contacted by phoning 101. 

Ken Munro is the news editor. Please let him know about village news and events via Contact Us on the main menu or on 07880801674

The DIARY – Click here.

The Shotesham Village Association held it’s Annual General Meeting in March with the committee being re-elected and a couple of new members joining us, many thanks to those who turned out and contributed. As always we have a number of events planned for the coming year and, although events are open to everyone, we would encourage residents to become Members of the Association and help with all the things that go on in the village. A small donation, minimum £3, will help us fund events and you can always keep in touch with what goes on in and around the village by joining our email distribution list! 

Despite some dreich (fine Scottish expression) weather at the start, this year’s Tour de Shotesham attracted a record entry of 37 cyclists including a fair number of youngsters all of whom very determinedly completed the course. Thankfully the weather brightened a little to allow the prizes to be presented at The Globe and for everyone to enjoy a refreshing cold drink or two. The winners were; Under 14s – Holly Saville and Cameron Guy; Under 60s – Teri Tickner and Steve Nicholls; Seniors – Jane Ellis and Paul Maddison. Click on the photo below for a full pictorial review.

Shotesham Bowls Club was well attended on a splendid April Saturday afternoon in the sunshine as President Ned and Captain Alan welcomed a number of potential new members who tried out their skills alongside some of the clubs regulars. As the new season gets going there’s an open invite from the club. So if you’ve never tried, or perhaps not played for a while and would like to make a comeback, you’re welcome to come along on Saturday April 28th at 2pm for 2.15 start, to play bowls and get some gentle exercise for 1 1⁄2 to 2 hours. Please wear flat shoes, we have a selection of bowls for you to use. For further information call Alan Banham 550574 or John Torbitt 499541.

Our Walking Group, persons and dogs alike, had another glorious day out on Sunday 22nd April, with a circular trip around Long Stratton and Wood Green. The walks are always gentle and very sociable, and everyone is welcome to join us. Next walk on Friday 4th May, details in the diary. 

Sunday 6th May will see the return of The Great Shotesham Duck Race, come along and go quackers as feathers fly on Shotesham Common! The race will take place on The Beck, gathering at the Hollow Lane ford around 12 noon for a 12.30 start. Ducks will be available for 50p each on the day, but to be able to spot your duck as they make their way through the raging torrent, you can buy yours in advance, decorate it in your own colours, and deliver it to the starting post prior to the duck off! Ducks can be obtained from Simon – simonnisbet27@gmail.com, 07710 183024; Ken – resotan@aol.com, 550736, or at The Globe. Prizes will be awarded in adults category (one) and under 14s (three). 

Change of timing for May’s Shotesham Screen. To coincide with National Dementia Week (https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/dementia-awareness-week-2018/), we’ll be showing the acclaimed  “Away from Her” (2007) (review here) starring Julie Christie as a woman living with dementia on Friday 25 May. Tickets £5 each from Raz on 550122 or razwoolacott@gmail.com  

On May 3rd Shotesham Parish Council will hold their AGM at 7.30 pm in the Trinity Hall. The focus of the meeting is recycling and we have Lisa Fountain from SNDC coming to help us to understand what can and can’t be processed and then what happens with the resulting material. If you any questions regarding recycling (or any other queries for the PC) please come along. It’s important to get it right.

Shotesham Gardeners Events – On Sunday April 22nd 10.30 onwards the Willow Weaving workshop will take place at Christine Burton’s, Hillside, The Common. Come and have a go at making woven garden supports, bird feeders, gates or even the odd sheep or reindeer! Hot soup will be provided for lunch, but if anyone would like to donate a cake please let Christine know. Everyone welcome, suitable for all the family. Cost £5 to cover materials. Tel 550364 for directions and offers of cakes. NB This workshop is replacing the April 21st garden event which has had to be cancelled.

Also a quick reminder – Shotesham Gardeners Annual Bring and Buy Plant Fair is on Saturday May 5th 10-12 at the Trinity Hall, where both professional growers and local people will sell their plants. Again, there will be a wide, and varied, selection of plants and seedlings for sale. If you have plants you would like to sell, bring them along, labelled, to the Trinity at 9.30 on the Saturday or take them to Sue Astbury’s Rectory Farmhouse, The Street earlier in the week. 25% of all sales will be donated to the Shotesham Gardeners funds. For more information phone Sue on 550377.

And coming up in the summer – Shotesham Open Gardens and Art Trail will take place on both Saturday and Sunday June 23rd/24th, £5 entry per adult in aid of All Saints Church bells project. 

Please encourage friends and families outside the village to come along as well. There will be lots of art displays, teas available and varied gardens, both large and small, to enjoy.
Before the event is finalised please let us know if you would like to participate, especially with help over the weekend. More details in due course.
Contacts are Sue Astbury (550377), Jane Blease (558787).

As part of the Norfolk Festival, the Norfolk and Norwich Open Studios will take place from 26th May to 10th June. Lesley Munro at Flint Cottage, The Common, will again be participating, this year in collaboration with Mary Louden from Lundy Green, and their opening times can be found at https://www.nnopenstudios.org.uk, or in the event brochures available at local landmarks.

Shotesham’s Cycling Group is up and running, more information and details of events can be obtained from maddison900@btinternet.com

Thinking Fuel – If you feel you may be paying too much for your oil, Community Action Norfolk (CAN) have a scheme that may assist. Click here to see how you might save and here to see how it works, or go directly to the CAN website for more details.

Our local policeman is PC 1200 Stu Sansbury who now holds the position of Poringland Beat Manager, Stu can be contacted on;

• SNTPoringland@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
• Sansburys@norfolk.pnn.police.uk
• Direct Dial to Poringland PS: 01603 276207  

Local Police info – Police Newsletter, April 18

News from Norfolk Police Commissioner – March 2018 

(Selected older news items are retained on the “News archive” page)